BSTS Member Testimonies
Brenda Benton
Below is an interview Brenda Benton was invited to record with Guy Powell for his Backstory YouTube production in the spring of 2022. Here Brenda shares her amazing journey with the Turin Shroud. It all began a few weeks before her only child died at the age of three. Whilst on a trip to London with her husband Stuart they saw a poster on the underground advertising David Rolfe’s film the Silent Witness. This was their first encounter with the Turin Shroud, and it was a lifechanging experience that took them on an incredible journey that they are still on.
In 1998 she discovered that in the spring of that year there would be an exposition of Shroud in Turin and knew she had to grasp this opportunity. Whilst searching for a way to get there she discovered the BSTS Newsletter and joined the society immediately. At that time Ian Wilson was the editor of the society and he was a great encouragement to her. This was just the beginning of a long and fruitful friendship.
It was thirty-three years after seeing David Rolfe’s film in London that through an amazing set of circumstances that only God could orchestrate, she met Pam Moon. Pam owns a unique exhibition of the Turin Shroud which contains a life size replica of the Shroud and at that time there were only six copies in existence worldwide. As a result of this meeting, along with her husband Stuart they travelled the country with Pam’s exhibition for the next ten years. She talks about the impact this exhibition has on so many people of all ages and from all walks of life.
It was through Pam that Brenda made contact with David Rolfe, which led to her and Stuart working alongside David when he took over the editorship of the BSTS Newsletter where she has seen the BSTS team grow. Each member of the team brings their own set of gifts that work together so beautifully. Pam also introduced her to Barrie Schwortz who she met when they were invited to a Muslim event, on four separate occasions, with 40,000 people attending from all around the world. People from all walks of life and many different faiths were invited with the aim of fulfilling their motto of ‘Love for All and Hatred for None.’
Hugh Fitzpatrick
Hugh Fitzpatrick is one of the longest-serving members of the BSTS who sent us this image that he produced with the help of his friend, along with an explanation of how it came about:
“The story behind the Holy Shroud print goes back to 1960-1963 when I was at college. My main subject at college was art and crafts.
One of my friends John Littleford was on the same course and qualified as a teacher, and eventually became the head at a school in Oldham. When he retired, he did a university degree in art and has since spent his time producing art works. In November 2023 John told me he was fed up of hoping I would come and see his studio (his garage.)
I eventually went to see him and he insisted I produce a ‘work of art,’ in Lino print. I had no idea the process was so complicated! 5 sessions, 5 lots of printing, and it took over 6 weeks to produce my ‘Face on the Shroud.’ It was John’s expertise in lino prints that enabled me to produce the work! This is a copy of the actual print – rather reduced in size. Actually, the original is about the size of a hand/palm print.
John was the orchestrator of the whole process and used his computer to produce this photocopy and he insisted I put my name on them!”
Mark Lennon
BSTS member Mark Lennon designed and created this cross stitch portrayal of the Holy Face.
Mark’s mother frequently made pilgrimages to Lourdes and always brought back books for him, one of which was about the Shroud of Turin which included photographs of the extraordinary negative images. After reading this he began finding out as much as he could about the Shroud.
He has read many books about the Turin Shroud over the years, including books that try to disprove its authenticity which he reads in order to understand their arguments, but he is a firm believer in it being the Holy Shroud of Jesus. He says that he has no doubts whatsoever about its authenticity as there is so much evidence supporting this. He also feels that it speaks to his heart and this also convinces him that it is the cloth that wrapped Jesus in the tomb.
Mark’s deep passion for the Shroud inspired him to create this cross-stitch portrait of the Holy Face and we’re grateful to Mark for sharing it with us.
Heaven’s Perfect Mystery
Our Lord left us a Perfect Mystery
A Beautiful Gift from Heaven
His Image imprinted on a Linen Cloth
Confirmation of His Resurrection
Many will see and believe ~ Will you?
He uses this Cloth to touch many people
Those who are open to His Holy Spirit
Those who are fascinated by science
Those who love history and archaeology
Each person unique ~ each experience unique.
It travels the world ~ touching hearts
Inspired ~ they are set on fire
By this Beautiful Image of our Lord
By the agony of His suffering
By the amazing peace on His Face.
How can a Body ~ so badly mutilated
Contain within it such a tranquil expression?
There is only one answer ~ it must be of God
A God Who so loved the world
That He gave us His only Begotten Son.
Through His death we are given Life
Through His suffering we are set Free
Through this Mystery from Heaven
Men are confounded ~ science has no answer
The Answer is only found in HIM.
On the Face of the Holy Shroud of Turin
The Face of our Lord ~ He has His Eyes closed
And yet ~ as Pope Francis stated
Those Eyes look straight into your heart
They speak more powerfully than words ever can.
So ~ will you look into His Face today
Will you accept His Love and Forgiveness
Will you lay aside all rational thinking
To be absorbed into this Heavenly Mystery
And in doing so accept Him as your Lord?
